BEVERAGES: Ahh, That Cup Of . . . Coke?

Ahh, That Cup Of . . . Coke?

Watch out, Folger's and Maxwell House. Coca-Cola is circling the breakfast table and coffee break. The Atlanta-based company is promoting the top-selling soft drink, which has only about one-third less caffeine than coffee, as the eye-opener of choice. Billboards and radio commercials in Atlanta, New Orleans and Knoxville urge people to have "a Coke in the morning." Local bottlers echo the theme in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Virginia, Wisconsin and Florida.

Nutritionists object to the campaign, since Coke has a fattening, tooth- decaying dose of sugar. One answer: wash down your oatmeal with a sugar- free diet Coke.